The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1887-03-31
A QUEER BUSINESS. :
A Battie-ScaTrcd Veteran Shows q Novice
How to Catch Rats.

"Wait till strike light" said an
old batt!c-scarred rat-catcher to New
York Tribune reporter as he dropped a
big bag in the hallway of large dwell
ing in Second avenue. In moment more
the circular gleam from the bull's-eye
lantern flashed in the darkness. Hold
ing the light in front, be moved cau-
tiously to the end of the hall. Coming
to q door he raped on it smartly, and
there was wild scampering and
squcaling on the inside.
"Just hear the beauties" exclaimed
the rat-catcher. '.You want to see how
1 pick them up? Well, if you'll not be
frightened if one Of the lively fellows
starts up your trousers leg and comes
out under your shirt-eollar you'll have
no trouble. Just slip in behind me like
fash, and keep your feet moving, so
that none OF them get into the hail.
That's the style. Not one got out Just
stand still aud watch the fun"
The large bag was opened, and one
side of it was loosely suspended from
the rat-catcher's teeth. With one hand
he held the light and the other side of
the bag. SO that it could be easily and
quickly opened AID closed, and in the
other he held { large pair Of old-fash-
ioned torgs. There were rats of all
sizes and ages. from the gray-whiskered
grandfather down to the third and
fourth generations. They seemed to
have lost their heads. and ran in every
direction, tUmbling over cne another.
The old-fellows followed around the
Dashboard, seeking q convenient crack
Or hole to slip away. They could find
the hole where they came in, but is had
been closed by al ingenious self-acting
device. When they got settled down IN
a philosophical spirit, not to worry IN
til they found out what it was all about,
tie rat-catcher tock hand in the fun.
Moving straight across the room. with
the light turned into the shining little
eyes on the floor, with the tongs he
quickly snapped up rat after rat with
great skill. While gazing at the light
the unsuspccted rodents did not see the
tongs. and were seized and in the bag,
biting and scratching their friends and
relatives. before they had time to wink
their eyes. And such squealing! Not
one Of them attempted to bite the rat
catcher, but they hoyered around the
silent spectator with great show of
familiarity. But no harm was done,
and in Il few minutes tho last OF
the lot, little fellow just out of
short clothes, had his s1ueal stopped
forever by quick snap oi the tongs.
'.Now it's over," said the rat-catcher.
"Just nineteen, all told. There will be
more here tomorrow, and then the
place viii be pretty well cleaned out.
Where do these rats come from? Orioi-
naily from the sewer, and when tie eel
lar floor IS not made OF cement or stone
tkey are sure to &c. into the house.
When the track is once opened they
keep it well beaten. They go from the
cellar all over the house. The lead
pipes in the walls make excellent climb
ers. When house is TO be cleaned the
pipes are creased, if they can be got at,
so as to keep the rats in one part of the
house. II this can not be done. then
wire nets, with sharp-pointed sides, are
hung directly near the holes. These
tickle their whiskers, and when they
raise the net and pass under it they can
not get back to the hole. In this way
they are all corralled IN one place. 1t
takes time, as they are cute, and some
Of the old fellows can rot be led into
any sort of traps. If there is anything
in their way they viii SO mile out Of
their course to get around it. When
they get in places where ! can not
reach them with the tongs generally
shoot them with small pistol. Some
Of the old fellows have . fancy of set
ling in the ceiling and are the hardest
10 get at. The best thing 1 know of
with which to treat these obstinate citi-
zens is good dose CT burning cayenne
pepper This suffocates them, if they
get a large whif' at the start, and then
he house suddenly becomes filled with
sewer gas, which disappears rs soon as
he carcasses dry up and blow away.
Rats breed rapidly, and if all of them !
ire not destroyed they will quickly |